not surprising considering the kind of disinformation and vitriolic propaganda regarding gays they have been feeding to their population, this is nsfw - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDzW_5QDvU4 - looks like it was posted for purposes of humor but this is actually quite disparaging

Uganda’s LGBT community held a weekend of gay pride events this summer.

If the anti-gay sentiments are what's wrong with Africa, then the resistance is also. I can't think of anything more courageous than standing up for your rights when your resistance can get you killed in a heartbeat.

I hope that many countries step up and offer refugee status to gay Ugandans.

“Let us forget with generosity those who cannot love us”
― Pablo Neruda

While as an egalitarian Westerner it does sound sad but there are far worser less media-sexy policies that hurt a larger portion of the populace just as bad.

Still it's heartening to see how the homosexual demographic there can be so brave.

“I tell you, freedom and human rights in America are doomed. The U.S. government will lead the American people in — and the West in general — into an unbearable hell and a choking life. - Osama bin Laden

I don't even know what "should" means but:
I am not going to take any actions to further nor hinder the emergence of this kind of news.
I, like you, can drop off my meaningless condolences about how this world is so cruel to the minorities and then we can happily say to ourselves how aware and thus supportive we are about the third world problems while living it large in the large in the first world.
And like you, I'm not going to lift a finger about it.

If I hear that something similar is done in my community, I will be seen in the barricades.

“I tell you, freedom and human rights in America are doomed. The U.S. government will lead the American people in — and the West in general — into an unbearable hell and a choking life. - Osama bin Laden

I don't even know what "should" means but:
I am not going to take any actions to further nor hinder the emergence of this kind of news.
I, like you, can drop off my meaningless condolences about how this world is so cruel to the minorities and then we can happily say to ourselves how aware and thus supportive we are about the third world problems while living it large in the large in the first world.
And like you, I'm not going to lift a finger about it.

If I hear that something similar is done in my community, I will be seen in the barricades.

Reporting it spreads the word, sharing it on social media does, too, and there is lot of activism on part of global LGBT communties (and others) to pressure governments into offering refugee status. Gay Ugandans know that they have international support which goes a long way because international outcry has also been known to pressure on governments with similar policies. I think you underestimate the power of global solidarity in cases like this.

And like you, I'm not going to lift a finger about it.

Don't assume.

“Let us forget with generosity those who cannot love us”
― Pablo Neruda

Family Research Council‘s president Tony Perkins in 2010 claimed that Uganda’s infamous “Kill The Gays” bill merely was an effort “to uphold moral conduct that protects others.” The Ugandan Kill The Gays bill in fact allows for the lifetime imprisonment for those convicted of homosexuality, allows for the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality,” and allows for the criminalization of same-sex marriage, punishable by jail time, and even calls for the forcible extradition of Ugandans who violate the law.

But Perkins, whose Family Research Council spent at least $25,000 lobbying the U.S. Congress on the bill (FRC claims they lobbied Congress only to remove “pro-homosexuality” statements from a congressional statement denouncing the bill, while others believe they lobbied Congress to not denounce the bill at all — we’ll never know, will we?) in this 2010 “Washington Watch” radio commentary, below, claims the Kill The Gays bill “calls for the death penalty, not for homosexual behavior which is already a crime, but for acts such as intentionally spreading HIV/AIDS, or preying upon vulnerable individuals such as children.”

You might not want to turn to Tony Perkins for an explanation of what this bill really means.

“Let us forget with generosity those who cannot love us”
― Pablo Neruda

Reporting it spreads the word, sharing it on social media does, too, and there is lot of activism on part of global LGBT communties (and others) to pressure governments into offering refugee status. Gay Ugandans know that they have international support which goes a long way because international outcry has also been known to pressure on governments with similar policies. I think you underestimate the power of global solidarity in cases like this.

Share it on Facebook and all of your Ugandan gay friends can fight together. The Uganda government will cower in fear as they see that petition you signed.
The most likely reaction you and others will likely achieve is that the US government gets yet another blessing to intervene to correct the savants towards egalitarian culture they never had.

Originally Posted by Kim

Don't assume.

So what will you and your moral high grounds do about it?

“I tell you, freedom and human rights in America are doomed. The U.S. government will lead the American people in — and the West in general — into an unbearable hell and a choking life. - Osama bin Laden

Share it on Facebook and all of your Ugandan gay friends can fight together. The Uganda government will cower in fear as they see that petition you signed.
The most likely reaction you and others will likely achieve is that the US government gets yet another blessing to intervene to correct the savants towards egalitarian culture they never had.

You really don't think that international support for marginalized groups like this one is a good thing? Instead you suggest to ignore it because any sort of engagement makes us hypocrites by default? These LGBT groups in Uganda can make contacts that might very well lead to practical support should they seek asylum.

Along these lines I recently talked to an undocumented immigrant in Southern California who told me how happy she was for all the support for her cause (the Dream Act) from people all over the world.It has also lead to contacts in her home country (which she left when she was a child and never visited since) in case she gets deported.

Just because it doesn't mean anything to you, it can mean a great deal to other people. Who are you to judge?

“Let us forget with generosity those who cannot love us”
― Pablo Neruda

You really don't think that international support for marginalized groups like this one is a good thing?

Just like Kony 2012.. After they have found oil in Uganda, somebody brings out their social injustices. "WILL USA HELP THEM!?!"

Originally Posted by Kim

These LGBT groups in Uganda can make contacts that might very well lead to practical support should they seek asylum.

If I'd be Ugandan right now, I'd probably be so gay that I'd get my ass to a nice welfare paradise.

Originally Posted by Kim

Who are you to judge?

A living well-hung God.

“I tell you, freedom and human rights in America are doomed. The U.S. government will lead the American people in — and the West in general — into an unbearable hell and a choking life. - Osama bin Laden

“I tell you, freedom and human rights in America are doomed. The U.S. government will lead the American people in — and the West in general — into an unbearable hell and a choking life. - Osama bin Laden

The problem with Kony 2012 was that it was an emotional piece made by a westerner with good intentions, but patronizing delivery. He also over-simplified the situation. Gays in Uganda self-report their situation and are looking for support.

Gays in Uganda self-report their situation and are looking for support.

Yeah, but the children were reported for and are not looking for support so it's obviously different?

“I tell you, freedom and human rights in America are doomed. The U.S. government will lead the American people in — and the West in general — into an unbearable hell and a choking life. - Osama bin Laden

My personal area of interest is migration and refugees, so I support efforts to grant refugee status for gay citizens of countries in which they face violence based on their sexual orientation. That involves letters to officials, petitions, information events, etc.

“Let us forget with generosity those who cannot love us”
― Pablo Neruda

Nah, I was born in one.
Yeah, but the children were reported for and are not looking for support so it's obviously different?

No, but the situation in Uganda is far too complex to suggest that the removal of one person would truly change things. The film was more about the filmmakers and Kony himself than about the ones they claimed to want to protect. But I think their intentions were good.

“Let us forget with generosity those who cannot love us”
― Pablo Neruda

“I tell you, freedom and human rights in America are doomed. The U.S. government will lead the American people in — and the West in general — into an unbearable hell and a choking life. - Osama bin Laden

I got irritated when you made a comment about gay Ugandans wanting to take advantage of welfare state and perhaps I missed a joke there. I

What I don't understand is being judged for being interested in what is going on in the gay community in Uganda and for trying to do the little I do. I don't judge you for not getting involved and I don't expect people to fight every injustice out there, so why do you judge me? What's it to you what people do and how effective it is? And who are you to judge their motivations? Why would I care about your motivations when you say you help out at your friend door.

It's something I notice a lot on this forum and I just don't get it. Do your thing and let others do theirs.

“Let us forget with generosity those who cannot love us”
― Pablo Neruda

I got irritated when you made a comment about gay Ugandans wanting to take advantage of welfare state and perhaps I missed a joke there.

I live next to Helsinki. A little bit less than 10% of it's residents are born abroad. Most of them are just fine. Then there are those who made 40% of all rapes between 2000-2006. It might have been a joke but it does come from somewhere.

Originally Posted by Kim

Why would I care about your motivations when you say you help out at your friend door.

I don't know what is a friend door but that is an excellent question. Why would you care? Six of your posts already did. Result: A philantropic thread raped by quarrel.

Originally Posted by Kim

Do your thing and let others do theirs.

That is precisely what I am doing. One of my things is to cause controversy and yours is to whine and cry. This is a symbiosis, baby.

“I tell you, freedom and human rights in America are doomed. The U.S. government will lead the American people in — and the West in general — into an unbearable hell and a choking life. - Osama bin Laden

“I tell you, freedom and human rights in America are doomed. The U.S. government will lead the American people in — and the West in general — into an unbearable hell and a choking life. - Osama bin Laden

I was tired of reading about all of the nasty things that people are still saying about gay people. Some states are still spending money to create laws that are harmful to gay people and gay families. Some states still try to outlaw gay relationships! It's 2011. Take a look at Uganda and what the American right wing has done for gay people there.
It's horrifying. And I don't even need to comment on that group with the nasty signs.
So I created a simple gay prayer and I am hoping that people will read it and pass it along to their friends and family. I also would like people to contribute their own thoughts, prayers, poems, prose or comments for me to post on line. I am not looking for any cash donations.
Just be a good person . PEACE!

My personal area of interest is migration and refugees, so I support efforts to grant refugee status for gay citizens of countries in which they face violence based on their sexual orientation. That involves letters to officials, petitions, information events, etc.

So you have a history of supporting refugees. What other refugees have you supported, how did you support them? What letters have you written to officials about this problem in uganda, or other similar refugee problems; which officials did you write to? What informative events on refugees / migration problems have you helped organize? Etc.

While as an egalitarian Westerner it does sound sad but there are far worser less media-sexy policies that hurt a larger portion of the populace just as bad.

Still it's heartening to see how the homosexual demographic there can be so brave.

Right on! Wow, this makes me proud to be human.

Now this is a story all about how, my type got changed, turned upside down. Just wait for a minute and watch chatbox right there, & I'll tell how Gem became the moderator with blue hair.

In typology central friended and praised, on the picture thread was where she spent most her days. Chilling out, selfies, relaxing all cool, And all typing some people and getting them schooled.

When a couple of girls who were up to no good, Started annoying her & her friends in the forumhood, She got in one little flame war & got pissed off & said 'I'm moving in with that exboyfriend in the forum with the socionics toffs.

So Gem pulls up to the forum for a year without being a hater, And yells to typocentral 'Yo creeps! Smell Ya later', Became a mod in her kingdom she was finally there, To sit on her throne as the mod with blue hair.

@Kim: i thought Aqua's first comment was more about the Media etc than the issue itself - which is of course extreme. Nothing wrong imo with you or anyone taking an interest in issues of their choice...

I have sympathy for their cause but I don't see pursuing it particularly effective when done outside Uganda. I try to preserve my energy and aim my focus to other issues that are in closer to my sphere of influence. Their culture was the root to this legislation and I see the attempt to cut those branches that emerge from it to be mostly futile. I, however, haven't denied the possibility of directing their culture but that is not advisable without a deep understanding and an interactive, respectful approach. Even if the Westerners could force them to change their legislation, the homosexuals would be still discriminated against. At optimal, abolishing such legislation would be an alleviation.

“I tell you, freedom and human rights in America are doomed. The U.S. government will lead the American people in — and the West in general — into an unbearable hell and a choking life. - Osama bin Laden